Be an Upstander, not a Bystander by Dr Bibiana Chan
At Community Flower Studio (CFS), we are committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where everyone—especially families and young people—can engage in creative workshops without disruption. Our Lunar New Year workshops served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of standing up for fairness and consistently reinforcing our community values.
The Importance of Boundaries and Respect
During the celebrations, a small group of participants—who had previously attended multiple free workshops—displayed behaviours that did not align with the spirit of our community. While we strive to offer enriching experiences for all, shared respect for guidelines ensures fairness and inclusivity for everyone.
Key concerns included:
- Participation without proper registration – Our workshops operate on a registration system to guarantee fair access. Unfortunately, some attendees occupied seats meant for registered participants, limiting opportunities for those who followed the process.
- Disrespectful behaviour and lack of engagement – While the lively festival atmosphere included concurrent performances that created some noise challenges, we encourage participants to collaborate and stay mindful during sessions. However, some rushed through activities, disregarded instructions, and bypassed the mindful creative process highlighted in my opening speech.
- Use of materials without permission – Workshop resources are thoughtfully prepared to support the learning experience. Taking materials without facilitator guidance disrupted the session’s flow and affected the overall experience.
Impact on Our Co-Facilitators
At CFS, we take pride in providing a safe and encouraging space for young members to develop life skills through co-facilitating creative workshops. This particular experience posed challenges for some of our co-facilitators, who generously volunteer their time to serve the community. Their efforts to guide the session were met with dismissive behaviour, including ignored greetings and a lack of engagement. Such actions run counter to the mindfulness and respect that form the cornerstone of every CFS session.
While this incident was an exception rather than the norm, it highlighted how individual behaviours can impact the well-being and confidence of others. CFS remains deeply committed to supporting our young facilitators, ensuring they feel valued, empowered, and safe in their roles.
Why Being an Upstander Matters
As the President of CFS, I took the responsibility to review these concerns carefully, gathering insights from co-facilitators, participants, and reviewing event records. These reflections reinforced the importance of upholding our community values.
Drawing from the insights of our guest speaker, Kate Xavier (Professional Education Lead at Together for Humanity), being an Upstander means choosing action over silence when faced with unfairness. For us, this means addressing challenges thoughtfully while remaining committed to providing a respectful and mindful space for everyone. We will continue to uphold these principles, which make CFS a safe and enriching space for all.
A Lesson in Community Accountability
This experience served as a valuable reminder: kindness and generosity flourish best in an environment of mutual respect. CFS events are designed to nurture creativity, connection, and well-being—not to be taken for granted.
As we move forward, we encourage all members of our community to:
✅ Respect event guidelines to ensure fair access for all.
✅ Be mindful of shared resources and appreciate the efforts of facilitators and volunteers.
✅ Engage with mindfulness—not only in artistic expression but also in interactions with others.
✅ Speak up when witnessing unfairness—your voice helps maintain a positive and welcoming space for all.
Let’s continue cultivating a culture of respect at CFS, ensuring that our events remain inspiring, fair, and inclusive for everyone.
